Wesleyan College hockey team wants to inspire young women in Macon ‘on and off the ice.’

Wesleyan College plans to launch a new hockey team as early as next year and is actively recruiting prospective players to hit the ice.

The women’s athletics program will be a significant milestone for both Macon and the institution, Wesleyan College President Meghan Blight said.

“I think this will add to our history of firsts — the first college chartered to grant degrees to women will now be the first college in Middle Georgia to roster a women’s hockey team,” Blight said in an email.

Macon Mayhem veteran Caleb Cameron, who had experience as both a player and coach for the team, will lead the Wesleyan Wolves’ hockey team as head coach. He brings with him seven years of professional hockey experience.

Cameron said he is honored to take on the new role, which consists of empowering women and expanding a sport that is not widely popular in the South.

“Hockey is a worldwide sport, and I think it has provided so many kids all over with a place to go and be free,” the Canadian said. “A lot of kids don’t have the opportunity to play, especially down here

“This program is all about giving these girls a chance to play hockey and know that they can achieve any goal that they set their minds to by working hard.”

The Wolves will play their home games at the Macon Colesium, a familiar place for Cameron.

The team will also run under College Hockey South, a non-varsity ice hockey conference for men’s and women’s teams in the Southeast, according to Cameron.

Blight, who is also a Canadian, said rostering a hockey team in Middle Georgia will expose players to a sport that teaches valuable life and career skills, as well as attract more young female leaders who will leave a mark on Macon.

Cameron said the college is already receiving global interest from prospective players in Canada and Europe.

The concept for the hockey team came about earlier this year when Wesleyan unveiled a five-year plan to improve student enrollment and student-athlete recruitment, according to Blight.

“To do this, it only makes sense to add new sports,” she said. “When we came together with Caleb Cameron from the Macon Mayhem, we saw an opportunity to fill a gap and help a group of young women develop the skills and get the education they need to succeed both on and off the ice.”

Cameron said he did not expect the idea to come together so quickly, but that being able to make it come into fruition is a major accomplishment for the city.

Cameron said he finds the historic team even more inspiring because he has a 2-year-old daughter who can look up to the female hockey players and will most likely follow his family’s professional hockey tradition.

“For all the girls out there that don’t think they can accomplish something, this is one of those sports where we just want them to try it out and watch some hockey,” he said. “One day, we hope that they can set their dreams high and accomplish them as well.”

Who can play on for Wesleyan Wolves, how to sign up?

While Wesleyan College’s entrance standard typically is a 3.0 GPA, Blight said the college’s hockey team is also looking for young women who want a supportive learning environment where they can take risks and learn from their mistakes.

“Like all Wesleyan students, anyone who wants to play for our hockey team must be academically elite and demonstrate the capacity to succeed in the classroom,” she said.

Anyone who is interested in being recruited can reach out to Ryan Bliss, Wesleyan assistant director of athletic operations, or apply on the college’s website.